Hi Everyone,
Just as an update I am home from the hospital and I am trying to get back to normal after the birth of our son. Baby John, IV was born on December 10, 2008 measuring 21" long, and weighing in at a whopping 8lbs. 12oz., which was in vast contrast to Isabella's birth weight of 7lbs. 5oz. 2 years ago. Everything went perfectly and we now have a beautiful baby boy in our family. Isabella is doing her best to be a great big sister and so far she has been wonderful (a little jealous, but wonderful). Thanks to all of you who sent messages and left comments of well wishes for our family. Please know that we appreciate each and every one of you!
Later on this evening I will be posting the winner of the monthly FREE GIFT drawing so you'll want to check back to see what wonderful prize we have given away this month. Also, this week I will be posting pictures of some new items that I created before I went in the hospital to deliver our bundle of joy. I have so many new and unique ideas floating in my head (maybe it's just the medicine), and mounds of wonderful material to use for their creation. I can't wait to offer these items to you in my store!
Lastly, we are already mid month and I will be introducing some new guest jewelers for the 2nd half of December and also preparing you for January's featured Guest Jewelers. If you are a creator of handmade products and you are interested in being a featured artist on my site please contact me and we'll get you started ASAP!
Stay tuned....
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
NEW HOLIDAY BABY!
I just wanted to keep everyone updated on what will be happening with me this week. I will sort of be on "vacation" from answering E-mails and making jewelry for the next few days. We are having a new baby, and we are expecting him to be a boy (so he better be cooperative and not come out with a pee-pee rather than a wee-wee!) He will be born on December 10th via scheduled C-Section, and his name will be John P D'Agostino, IV after his daddy. We are praying for a healthy baby and a safe delivery so please keep us in your prayers.
Luckily, I have gotten all of my orders for the holidays filled and shipped up to this time. If you need anything, please contact me before 10PM EST on December 9th. I will return home from the hospital on December 14th and answer any E-mails, and address any orders that I have at that time. Also, the computer software will randomly draw a name selecting December's FREE GIFT winner. That will be posted the week that I return home, but perhaps not exactly on the 15th when I usually post it, as it all depends on how I feel. If you would like to register to win a FREE GIFT from Isabella's Beads, please click here and register your E-mail address with us. Registration is free and we have a lot of wonderful and unique gifts to give away each month from Gift Certificates to Handmade Jewelry.
More new items will be posted when I return home, but for now the only new addition I will be concentrating on will be our new son, Johnny! I hope everyone has a wonderful week and I look forward to reporting great news in the next week.
Ciao!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Here are a few new items that I have posted in the store. They are novelty watches featuring a glittering Santa or a Christmas tree for the holidays, and you can find them in the Holiday Collections section.
There is also one new addition to the Necklaces category. I have been busy with themed jewelry for the holidays so I haven't made any glass bead necklaces in the past week, and I still have at least 10 one-of-a-kind beads left to use. I don't have a favorite because they are all so very beautiful and believe me when I tell you that the pictures NEVER do them justice. This necklace is made with a deep ocean blue electroform bead handmade by Lisa Atchison. The leaf is hand picked from her backyard. This handmade pendant is gently suspended from a copper bail, which hangs on hand-dyed silk ribbon from Jamn Glass. With this pendant I did something just a bit different and made Swarovski crystal components in complimentary colors and dangled them from the base of the bead for added sparkle! As usual with the silk ribbon necklaces, the copper coil closure allows for an adjustable length before tying closed.
Are you looking for stocking stuffers? Check out our "Great Gifts" section of the store where you can search our inventory by price. We have a ton of great gifts that would make perfect stocking stuffers for under $25, and many wonderful and unique gifts under $10 from hair jewelry, to macramé bracelets, to brocade satin lipstick cases.
Here's an original idea...every woman could use a Purse Hanger. You don't think about it until you actually have one. You never have to go to a restaurant and place your bag on the chair or on the floor, when you go to the casino and sit at the blackjack or poker table you can conveniently hang your purse close to you. They are available in 8 great styles! Select yours from the drop down menu when making your purchase.
We also carry Phone Finders. Keep your phone handy - just hook it to a "Finders for Fones" for a functional and fashionable way to decorate your purse. And we carry Key Finders so that you never have to dig in the bottom of your purse for your keys again! These unique gifts come in a variety of styles, more than 60 styles from which you can choose. Just visit our Cell Phone Accessories category or click on the photo below.
Meet Beary Spoiled Bear. These adorable "Kritters" can be used as either purse charms or key chains. There are 12 from which to choose and each has its own personality. Please see each one to make sure you select the Kritter that best suits your personality! You can find these in our Purse Charm section of the store.
There is also one new addition to the Necklaces category. I have been busy with themed jewelry for the holidays so I haven't made any glass bead necklaces in the past week, and I still have at least 10 one-of-a-kind beads left to use. I don't have a favorite because they are all so very beautiful and believe me when I tell you that the pictures NEVER do them justice. This necklace is made with a deep ocean blue electroform bead handmade by Lisa Atchison. The leaf is hand picked from her backyard. This handmade pendant is gently suspended from a copper bail, which hangs on hand-dyed silk ribbon from Jamn Glass. With this pendant I did something just a bit different and made Swarovski crystal components in complimentary colors and dangled them from the base of the bead for added sparkle! As usual with the silk ribbon necklaces, the copper coil closure allows for an adjustable length before tying closed.
Are you looking for stocking stuffers? Check out our "Great Gifts" section of the store where you can search our inventory by price. We have a ton of great gifts that would make perfect stocking stuffers for under $25, and many wonderful and unique gifts under $10 from hair jewelry, to macramé bracelets, to brocade satin lipstick cases.
Here's an original idea...every woman could use a Purse Hanger. You don't think about it until you actually have one. You never have to go to a restaurant and place your bag on the chair or on the floor, when you go to the casino and sit at the blackjack or poker table you can conveniently hang your purse close to you. They are available in 8 great styles! Select yours from the drop down menu when making your purchase.
We also carry Phone Finders. Keep your phone handy - just hook it to a "Finders for Fones" for a functional and fashionable way to decorate your purse. And we carry Key Finders so that you never have to dig in the bottom of your purse for your keys again! These unique gifts come in a variety of styles, more than 60 styles from which you can choose. Just visit our Cell Phone Accessories category or click on the photo below.
Meet Beary Spoiled Bear. These adorable "Kritters" can be used as either purse charms or key chains. There are 12 from which to choose and each has its own personality. Please see each one to make sure you select the Kritter that best suits your personality! You can find these in our Purse Charm section of the store.
How about gifts for your Children's schoolteachers? These handmade beaded bookmarkers will be one of the best gifts they ever receive. There aren't many listed in the store right now because the pictures are not very good, and many are already sold so I have to make more and then re-photograph them. However, all of them are custom made and I can do anything that you like in any color. The Millefiori bookmarkers to the right are customizable with over 10 different styles of Millefiori beads. Choose your favorite from the drop down menu when ordering.
If you'd like something custom made using other materials, please E-mail me for inquiries.
Monday, December 1, 2008
New Merchandise and Money Making Opportunities
Hi Everyone...
Let me start by saying that I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We spent ours in our "new", 2nd home in Connecticut and we ate with my fiancee's family. It was very nice although I didn't eat very much. We are having our 2nd child on December 10th and he is giving me some serious heartburn! Oh well, it'll all be worth it in the end, which is unbelievably only 9 days away.
Now for the introduction of my newest section of the store, Gift Cards! If you aren't sure what to get that special someone, but you know you want it handmade you can now conveniently purchase gift cards from Isabella's Beads. Click on the Gift Card and select your desired increment from the drop down menu and click "Add to Cart". It's that easy! Add multiple cards for various gifts. Our gift cards can be used to purchase any items in the store. There are no restrictions.
Please don't forget to check out the Holiday Items section of Isabella's Beads for new themed jewelry and holiday gift presentation items such as our Wine gift bags which are available in 5 vibrant colors for only $2.50 each!
In my last blog I mentioned the addition of the Guest Jewelers Section. That section is now complete and all of the items have been added for December's featured artists. Janice Kuhm, Rachael Swiss, and Sophia Waddell are the first artists to be featured for this month. The response has been overwhelming and I have several new artists already lined up for January. I think that this is going to be a wonderful experience for all who are involved.
If you are an artist of handmade jewelry or ANY handmade items, and you would like to be featured in my Blog, monthly Newsletter, and in the Guest Jewelers Section of my store please E-mail me and I'll tell you how you can get started immediately! Keep in mind that only registered users of Isabella's Beads will receive our exclusive Newsletters, so if you would like to be on that list please Register Here for free to become a member.
Money Making Opportunities:
If you are interested in selling some of my items on your own site, and you would like to be a wholesale customer with Isabella's Beads please Register Here. Certain restrictions apply.
If you are interested in earning money as an Affiliate of Isabella's Beads you can register for an Affiliate Account here. It is helpful to have a web site of course, but it is definitely not necessary, as each affiliate has their own unique bonus code.
Each of these opportunities is absolutely FREE and takes only a few minutes of your time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me! Have a good week :)
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Featured Guest Jewelers!
I would like to tell you about a section of the site that has been in progress for a while now. It is the "Guest Jewelers" section, and it is where I feature the works of other talented artists that I have met in this industry. I am starting December off with a bang, and I am going to introduce you to three new artists. The first artist that I am proud to present to you is Janice Kuhm of Darkmere Designs.
Janice says: "I formed Darkmere Designs in 2000 selling my designs in the Medieval Recreation and Renaissance markets. In 2004 I received an award for my work in wire knitting and chains. Art has always been in my life from music to jewelry. I have been involved in some form of art since I was a child. After receiving a diploma from Brooks College in Fashion Merchandising, I worked in administration at several different companies before going back to college to earn my Bachelors Degree in Business. At that time I was becoming active in medieval recreation and took a class in wire jewelry. I enjoyed the class so much I started taking more classes through a local craft shop, including soldering, fabricating, weaving and chains.
My designs currently focus on wire work, including chain making, knitting and weaving. I work mostly in Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold-filled, although I would eventually like to work in other metals as well."
Here are some examples of Janice's work.
These items will be available for sale for a limited time so if you see something that catches your eye, please don't hesitate to make your purchase. There has been a lot of interest on the part of various artists to participate in this venture, so hopefully I will be featuring new artists every month.
Our second featured artist for the month is Rachael Swiss. Rachael writes, "I have been making jewelry since I was a child. I have been working in the jewelry business as a designer and merchandiser for private companies since 2003 and my work with them (mostly gold, silver, diamonds, and other stones) can be found all over in major department stores throughout the united states. I believe that jewelry is a form of expression and should be worn to bring out the beauty in one's self."
And, last but not least is Sophia Waddell. Sophia Clark Waddell has immersed herself in both the performing and fine arts since birth - her latest creation is Art Intervention. Having made jewelry and taken photographs for as long as she can remember, Sophia is excited about helping customers bring handcrafted, personalized, and functional pieces of art into their every day lives.
Sophia is happy to work with you and your imagination to create the perfect piece of jewelry, or capture that special moment in time and space.
I love having the opportunity to showcase the various styles of each of these artists. All of these items, and much more will be available in my store for you to purchase starting on December 1st in the Guest Jewelers section, so don't forget to check them out!
The most recent additions to my store have been of the Sterling silver and CZ rings and anklets, along with Millefiori and Millecreli earrings and rings. You can purchase these items separately or as a set, and purchasing them as a set will afford you a discounted price.
We've added a few new pendants and gemstone rings as well to both the Men and Women's Collections.
Stay tuned in the next few days for more items from our featured artists. Make sure you look in our new Guest Jewelers section for their items starting December 1st. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I wish you a joyous remainder of the 2008-year!
Ciao!
Janice says: "I formed Darkmere Designs in 2000 selling my designs in the Medieval Recreation and Renaissance markets. In 2004 I received an award for my work in wire knitting and chains. Art has always been in my life from music to jewelry. I have been involved in some form of art since I was a child. After receiving a diploma from Brooks College in Fashion Merchandising, I worked in administration at several different companies before going back to college to earn my Bachelors Degree in Business. At that time I was becoming active in medieval recreation and took a class in wire jewelry. I enjoyed the class so much I started taking more classes through a local craft shop, including soldering, fabricating, weaving and chains.
My designs currently focus on wire work, including chain making, knitting and weaving. I work mostly in Sterling Silver and 14kt Gold-filled, although I would eventually like to work in other metals as well."
Here are some examples of Janice's work.
These items will be available for sale for a limited time so if you see something that catches your eye, please don't hesitate to make your purchase. There has been a lot of interest on the part of various artists to participate in this venture, so hopefully I will be featuring new artists every month.
Our second featured artist for the month is Rachael Swiss. Rachael writes, "I have been making jewelry since I was a child. I have been working in the jewelry business as a designer and merchandiser for private companies since 2003 and my work with them (mostly gold, silver, diamonds, and other stones) can be found all over in major department stores throughout the united states. I believe that jewelry is a form of expression and should be worn to bring out the beauty in one's self."
And, last but not least is Sophia Waddell. Sophia Clark Waddell has immersed herself in both the performing and fine arts since birth - her latest creation is Art Intervention. Having made jewelry and taken photographs for as long as she can remember, Sophia is excited about helping customers bring handcrafted, personalized, and functional pieces of art into their every day lives.
Sophia is happy to work with you and your imagination to create the perfect piece of jewelry, or capture that special moment in time and space.
I love having the opportunity to showcase the various styles of each of these artists. All of these items, and much more will be available in my store for you to purchase starting on December 1st in the Guest Jewelers section, so don't forget to check them out!
The most recent additions to my store have been of the Sterling silver and CZ rings and anklets, along with Millefiori and Millecreli earrings and rings. You can purchase these items separately or as a set, and purchasing them as a set will afford you a discounted price.
We've added a few new pendants and gemstone rings as well to both the Men and Women's Collections.
Stay tuned in the next few days for more items from our featured artists. Make sure you look in our new Guest Jewelers section for their items starting December 1st. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I wish you a joyous remainder of the 2008-year!
Ciao!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Swarovski® Crystal Pendant Necklaces
Before I introduce the new crystal pieces I want to preface this blog with one more glass bead necklace. For those of you who have been reading you know that lately I have been focusing on Lisa Atchison's glass beads. As I've stated before they are remarkable, one-of-a-kind beads unlike anything that I have ever seen. In most cases the pictures do not do the beads justice. Please review previous blogs for my most recent creations. I will introduce one new piece to you where I used the combination of a copper mesh necklace along with one of Lisa's electroformed leaf beads.
This necklace is comprised of fine, Italian brass mesh. There is a 3mm leatherette cord inserted into copper-colored brass mesh for durability. The necklace measures 18" in length and is terminated with a lobster claw clasp. I used copper findings, and pure copper wire to make the handmade bail from which the beautiful, ocean-colored bead is suspended. As you view both photos of the bead itself, notice that the bead is only electroformed with a leaf on one side, which adds to its versatility.
OK, now for the crystal. First I'll begin very quickly with the introduction of the "more classy" version of the Christmas tree earrings. I featured the classic-colored tree earrings in a previous blog, which was a green crystal tree accented in red and silver. This new pair is made using clear Swarovski® crystals along with an aurum 2x crystal topper and Colorado topaz base. They dangle from fancy gold-plated ear wires. These adorable creations can be worn all season long so get yours now!
Swarovski® crystal is the finest crystal in the world. I absolutely LOVE what Swarovski® has done this season with their new pendants. Of course these are perfect for any occasion, but hey, the winter season is upon us and in celebration of it I offer you a Swarovski® snowflake pendant necklace!
This sparkling creation has a flat table and faceted edges. The light reflects brilliantly from this classic pendant. I have attached a sterling silver teardrop bail to the snowflake, which dangles from a 20" sterling silver textured loop chain. I terminated the chain with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.
Also new this season is the 18mm flat-faced heart pendant. With the amazing sparkle only Swarovski® can create, the feminine heart drop has faceted, beveled edges and a smooth center. Stunning glacier blue color, the crystal ignites flashes of blue, green and yellow. I used a sterling silver ice pick heart bail, and attached it to a sterling silver Italian chain for instant elegance. Makes a fabulous gift for any occasion!
I have started working with a new medium. I am not sure if I like it yet as it is very new and extremely delicate, but I feel that the potential for creativeness using this product is just itching to burst through! This woven mesh originates as an extremely fine brass wire, loosely woven and anodized into a glorious color palette. It can be used to create a myriad of styles. Because this mesh is very fragile, it is recommended that it be used like a ribbon with beads strung on the outside only. However, I am a bit of a rebel and I decided to string beads, twist the mesh, and even fill the tube with pearls! (I feel like I just ripped off one of those "DO NOT REMOVE" mattress tags)
This is a David Christensen cane glass bead necklace with sterling silver accents and Swarovski® pearls strung on, and in the mesh tube. The black and white glass beads are from David's "Sophisticate Collection". These are the finest manufactured cane glass beads in the world. I featured his "Harvest Collection" beads on another necklace, which was featured in another blog a short while ago. This necklace is approximately 18" in length and is terminated with a tube-like lobster claw clasp.
That's all for now. I am expecting the birth of our son on December 10th so I am trying to get as much completed and listed on my site, before he arrives! Happy Holidays to all :-D
Ciao!
This necklace is comprised of fine, Italian brass mesh. There is a 3mm leatherette cord inserted into copper-colored brass mesh for durability. The necklace measures 18" in length and is terminated with a lobster claw clasp. I used copper findings, and pure copper wire to make the handmade bail from which the beautiful, ocean-colored bead is suspended. As you view both photos of the bead itself, notice that the bead is only electroformed with a leaf on one side, which adds to its versatility.
OK, now for the crystal. First I'll begin very quickly with the introduction of the "more classy" version of the Christmas tree earrings. I featured the classic-colored tree earrings in a previous blog, which was a green crystal tree accented in red and silver. This new pair is made using clear Swarovski® crystals along with an aurum 2x crystal topper and Colorado topaz base. They dangle from fancy gold-plated ear wires. These adorable creations can be worn all season long so get yours now!
Swarovski® crystal is the finest crystal in the world. I absolutely LOVE what Swarovski® has done this season with their new pendants. Of course these are perfect for any occasion, but hey, the winter season is upon us and in celebration of it I offer you a Swarovski® snowflake pendant necklace!
This sparkling creation has a flat table and faceted edges. The light reflects brilliantly from this classic pendant. I have attached a sterling silver teardrop bail to the snowflake, which dangles from a 20" sterling silver textured loop chain. I terminated the chain with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.
Also new this season is the 18mm flat-faced heart pendant. With the amazing sparkle only Swarovski® can create, the feminine heart drop has faceted, beveled edges and a smooth center. Stunning glacier blue color, the crystal ignites flashes of blue, green and yellow. I used a sterling silver ice pick heart bail, and attached it to a sterling silver Italian chain for instant elegance. Makes a fabulous gift for any occasion!
I have started working with a new medium. I am not sure if I like it yet as it is very new and extremely delicate, but I feel that the potential for creativeness using this product is just itching to burst through! This woven mesh originates as an extremely fine brass wire, loosely woven and anodized into a glorious color palette. It can be used to create a myriad of styles. Because this mesh is very fragile, it is recommended that it be used like a ribbon with beads strung on the outside only. However, I am a bit of a rebel and I decided to string beads, twist the mesh, and even fill the tube with pearls! (I feel like I just ripped off one of those "DO NOT REMOVE" mattress tags)
This is a David Christensen cane glass bead necklace with sterling silver accents and Swarovski® pearls strung on, and in the mesh tube. The black and white glass beads are from David's "Sophisticate Collection". These are the finest manufactured cane glass beads in the world. I featured his "Harvest Collection" beads on another necklace, which was featured in another blog a short while ago. This necklace is approximately 18" in length and is terminated with a tube-like lobster claw clasp.
That's all for now. I am expecting the birth of our son on December 10th so I am trying to get as much completed and listed on my site, before he arrives! Happy Holidays to all :-D
Ciao!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Not Just Jewelry!
Hi Everyone,
In recent newsletters you were told that you would be able to find Holiday jewelry in our Collections section, and then to look in the appropriate category (For Him, For Her). This has been changed, as we have made it even easier for you to find your favorite holiday pieces. We have added a new category to the Collections section titled Holiday Items. Here you will be able to see all of the themed pieces associated with each holiday season as it changes. If there is something that you would like to see in this section please feel free to E-mail me and I'll do my best to make it for you and list it in that section.
Jewelry isn't the only thing that you'll find here though. Take a look at our newest gift presentation items, such as the decorative wine bottle gift bags.
No more struggling to wrap wine or liquor in holiday paper! For only $2.50 you can present your host with a gift in style. Place your bottle in a decorative, oriental inspired rayon gift bag available in 5 vibrant colors!
You can make your color selection from the drop down menu, or simply click on the items individually in our store. Remember to read my blog to see all of the newest creations. The blog page is updated at least once per week, and it is much easier than searching the various sections of the store every week to see if anything new has been added.
We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
In recent newsletters you were told that you would be able to find Holiday jewelry in our Collections section, and then to look in the appropriate category (For Him, For Her). This has been changed, as we have made it even easier for you to find your favorite holiday pieces. We have added a new category to the Collections section titled Holiday Items. Here you will be able to see all of the themed pieces associated with each holiday season as it changes. If there is something that you would like to see in this section please feel free to E-mail me and I'll do my best to make it for you and list it in that section.
Jewelry isn't the only thing that you'll find here though. Take a look at our newest gift presentation items, such as the decorative wine bottle gift bags.
No more struggling to wrap wine or liquor in holiday paper! For only $2.50 you can present your host with a gift in style. Place your bottle in a decorative, oriental inspired rayon gift bag available in 5 vibrant colors!
You can make your color selection from the drop down menu, or simply click on the items individually in our store. Remember to read my blog to see all of the newest creations. The blog page is updated at least once per week, and it is much easier than searching the various sections of the store every week to see if anything new has been added.
We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Friday, November 14, 2008
November FREE GIFT Winner!
Hello Everyone,
Once again we thank everyone who has registered their E-mail address with us and registered to win a free gift. Isabella's Beads would like to congratulate this month's winner of our FREE GIFT drawing, Courtney Baltazar. Courtney will receive one of the 8 decorative purse hangers pictured below, for FREE. These purse hangers have a retail value of $15.00!
For those who are interested, these purse hangers are also available for sale in our store. Many new holiday items have been added to the store these past few weeks. To stay updated on all of the latest creations please read our blog. If you are interested in purchasing one of these purse hangers please click the photo to be directly connected to that item in our store. The easiest way to find most holiday items will be to browse our Collections section. From there you can select the appropriate category (for him or for her) to see what is currently available. Please keep in mind that the site has been undergoing some major changes for Search Engine Optimization, and new items are being added all the time. So, if you don't see something that catches your eye this time, please keep checking frequently! We at Isabella's Beads would like to wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Once again we thank everyone who has registered their E-mail address with us and registered to win a free gift. Isabella's Beads would like to congratulate this month's winner of our FREE GIFT drawing, Courtney Baltazar. Courtney will receive one of the 8 decorative purse hangers pictured below, for FREE. These purse hangers have a retail value of $15.00!
For those who are interested, these purse hangers are also available for sale in our store. Many new holiday items have been added to the store these past few weeks. To stay updated on all of the latest creations please read our blog. If you are interested in purchasing one of these purse hangers please click the photo to be directly connected to that item in our store. The easiest way to find most holiday items will be to browse our Collections section. From there you can select the appropriate category (for him or for her) to see what is currently available. Please keep in mind that the site has been undergoing some major changes for Search Engine Optimization, and new items are being added all the time. So, if you don't see something that catches your eye this time, please keep checking frequently! We at Isabella's Beads would like to wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season!
Monday, November 10, 2008
New Features and Updates
I just wanted to keep you all apprised of the new and ongoing changes with the Isabella's Beads website. I have been extremely busy (and tired, and pregnant) these days with the creation of some new items in my Holiday Jewelry line as well as the addition of new glass bead necklaces, and other interesting features available on the site itself such as my new blog page.
I am trying to create somewhat of an organized schedule so that my regular readers will know what to expect, and when to expect it. My plan is to post a blog at least once a week keeping readers apprised of new pieces and/or happenings in my life and business. So far, that has been working out nicely!
Today I just want to remind you that Isabella's Beads has an Events Calendar that will be frequently updated with important (and not-so-important) events. For example, now that our "Drawing Software" is in place we have a monthly drawing where we give away a FREE GIFT to a special member who is randomly selected from a data base. To see last month's winner please read my previous blogs :-D
If you'd like to know what date that drawing will take place all you need to do is look at the calendar. You can do this by clicking "Events" at the top of the page. In order to be eligible to receive a free gift all you need to do is register your E-mail address with us. That's it! If you haven't done that already you can do so by visiting our Free Gift page. Our next scheduled drawing will take place in just a few days so please check the calendar and don't forget to register with us!
Also, for those of you who haven't explored all of the wonderful pages on my site there is also a section where I post informative jewelry based articles. If you'd like to partake in some light reading you can visit my Articles page at any time, and unlike the newsletters you do not need to be a registered member or logged into the site to read the articles. I have recently added a new article and I will do my best to keep this page updated with new articles every two weeks.
If any of you have written informative articles that you would like to share with others please send them to me at my personal E-mail address and I would be glad to post your writings and credit you with the article, as well as link to your blog.
Well, it's back to work for me as I have some new and exciting pieces to create before the Holidays.
Ciao!
I am trying to create somewhat of an organized schedule so that my regular readers will know what to expect, and when to expect it. My plan is to post a blog at least once a week keeping readers apprised of new pieces and/or happenings in my life and business. So far, that has been working out nicely!
Today I just want to remind you that Isabella's Beads has an Events Calendar that will be frequently updated with important (and not-so-important) events. For example, now that our "Drawing Software" is in place we have a monthly drawing where we give away a FREE GIFT to a special member who is randomly selected from a data base. To see last month's winner please read my previous blogs :-D
If you'd like to know what date that drawing will take place all you need to do is look at the calendar. You can do this by clicking "Events" at the top of the page. In order to be eligible to receive a free gift all you need to do is register your E-mail address with us. That's it! If you haven't done that already you can do so by visiting our Free Gift page. Our next scheduled drawing will take place in just a few days so please check the calendar and don't forget to register with us!
Also, for those of you who haven't explored all of the wonderful pages on my site there is also a section where I post informative jewelry based articles. If you'd like to partake in some light reading you can visit my Articles page at any time, and unlike the newsletters you do not need to be a registered member or logged into the site to read the articles. I have recently added a new article and I will do my best to keep this page updated with new articles every two weeks.
If any of you have written informative articles that you would like to share with others please send them to me at my personal E-mail address and I would be glad to post your writings and credit you with the article, as well as link to your blog.
Well, it's back to work for me as I have some new and exciting pieces to create before the Holidays.
Ciao!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Glass on Silk
I wanted to start this blog off by touching on a few new additions. I have quite a few blog pages and all of them feature the same articles, however the main blog page, which is part of my website www.isabellasbeads.com, has several additions such as an event calendar and a blog roll featuring other talented bloggers that I discover along the way. I will try to get all of the blog links on my main site coordinated with these other blog pages so that I can share the talented artists whom I have been introduced to with you!
OK. In the past few blogs I have listed many new pieces of jewelry having various themes and using a multitude of different materials. Holiday jewelry will obviously be prevalent over the next few weeks with December, the holidays, and winter seasons quickly approaching.
(Here is a new necklace not yet listed in the store, but it'll be there in a day or two. I need to enter the pieces into my program to determine its selling price.)
I have also focused a lot on handmade glass beads and one artist in particular, Lisa Atchison. I know that there are many talented glass artists out there, but right now she is my favorite.
I have been hoarding Lisa’s handmade glass beads for quite some time now without ever turning out a design, until recently. Every aspect of these handmade glass beads is so very special that I really wanted to take time before I did anything with them. In the end it was once again Lisa’s own creativity in the art of handmade jewelry design that led me to make these amazing necklaces. One other thing about Lisa that I should mention is that she is never ever selfish. She is always willing to share with others and me the tricks of the trade as well as information on beads and suppliers, and for that I am very grateful. Thank you, Lisa.
I do my very best to support all artists who create handmade jewelry, materials, and findings. I believe that more love, care, and pride goes into the creation of each piece when someone takes the time to do it themselves rather than have a machine cut thousands of the same thing all day long. I know that for me creativity doesn’t just flow like a peaceful river, so I take a lot of time to look at the handmade designs of other talented artists for inspiration, and I am thankful to all of you for being instrumental in my work.
The following necklaces are created using Lisa’s handmade glass beads. Each design is a one-of-a-kind for the simple fact that no handmade bead can ever be duplicated exactly. Also, the metals and findings will always vary according to the size, color and style of the glass bead. For these handmade necklaces I have incorporated the works of 3 other artists. First, all of the focal glass beads are from Lisa Atchison at Touch of Glass Designs. The silk ribbon in three of the necklaces is hand dyed silk made by Heidi from Jamn Glass. Lastly, Mary Poineal of McDuck Creations makes the change-a-bead pendant bails.
(The first item is already sold so no link to the store is provided. For the remaining pictures you can view additional angles in my store by clicking on the photo.)
I take pride in using only the finest materials available in my designs. For example, the silver spacer beads are Hill Tribes fine silver rather than just sterling silver. And, when I use crystal in my designs, you can rest assured that the only crystal you will see is Swarovski crystal. I am sure that the less expensive beads have a place, but right now that place is not with me.
This next design is also an example of the quality of the glass beads that I incorporate. Although these are now manufactured, David Christensen is without a doubt the best maker of cane glass beads in the world. No one seems to argue this point. David’s beads are special in many ways. Perhaps you’ve wondered how David could compete in the marketplace with prices over $100.00 or more per pound. The fact is that the Chinese do not use as high of a quality of glass as David Christensen. Also, their caning process is nowhere near as sophisticated as David’s process. The edges of their glass beads are square while David's are slightly rounded. The slightly rounded edges protect the medium on which the beads are strung, and when using them on silk like I have done in this next design that was obviously very important. In this necklace I used beads from his “Harvest Collection” symbolic of the fall season.
Again, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any place for Chinese cane glass. It is a great alternative for a new or young beading artist, their beads are also nice if you want to create many inexpensive bracelets, and they’re wonderful if your customers are looking for a fashionable item at a low price. As for me I prefer to stick with David Christensen and the American made cane glass beads.
I think that I have rambled enough for now so I’ll see you again soon. I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it!
Ciao,
Mariealena
OK. In the past few blogs I have listed many new pieces of jewelry having various themes and using a multitude of different materials. Holiday jewelry will obviously be prevalent over the next few weeks with December, the holidays, and winter seasons quickly approaching.
(Here is a new necklace not yet listed in the store, but it'll be there in a day or two. I need to enter the pieces into my program to determine its selling price.)
I have also focused a lot on handmade glass beads and one artist in particular, Lisa Atchison. I know that there are many talented glass artists out there, but right now she is my favorite.
I have been hoarding Lisa’s handmade glass beads for quite some time now without ever turning out a design, until recently. Every aspect of these handmade glass beads is so very special that I really wanted to take time before I did anything with them. In the end it was once again Lisa’s own creativity in the art of handmade jewelry design that led me to make these amazing necklaces. One other thing about Lisa that I should mention is that she is never ever selfish. She is always willing to share with others and me the tricks of the trade as well as information on beads and suppliers, and for that I am very grateful. Thank you, Lisa.
I do my very best to support all artists who create handmade jewelry, materials, and findings. I believe that more love, care, and pride goes into the creation of each piece when someone takes the time to do it themselves rather than have a machine cut thousands of the same thing all day long. I know that for me creativity doesn’t just flow like a peaceful river, so I take a lot of time to look at the handmade designs of other talented artists for inspiration, and I am thankful to all of you for being instrumental in my work.
The following necklaces are created using Lisa’s handmade glass beads. Each design is a one-of-a-kind for the simple fact that no handmade bead can ever be duplicated exactly. Also, the metals and findings will always vary according to the size, color and style of the glass bead. For these handmade necklaces I have incorporated the works of 3 other artists. First, all of the focal glass beads are from Lisa Atchison at Touch of Glass Designs. The silk ribbon in three of the necklaces is hand dyed silk made by Heidi from Jamn Glass. Lastly, Mary Poineal of McDuck Creations makes the change-a-bead pendant bails.
(The first item is already sold so no link to the store is provided. For the remaining pictures you can view additional angles in my store by clicking on the photo.)
I take pride in using only the finest materials available in my designs. For example, the silver spacer beads are Hill Tribes fine silver rather than just sterling silver. And, when I use crystal in my designs, you can rest assured that the only crystal you will see is Swarovski crystal. I am sure that the less expensive beads have a place, but right now that place is not with me.
This next design is also an example of the quality of the glass beads that I incorporate. Although these are now manufactured, David Christensen is without a doubt the best maker of cane glass beads in the world. No one seems to argue this point. David’s beads are special in many ways. Perhaps you’ve wondered how David could compete in the marketplace with prices over $100.00 or more per pound. The fact is that the Chinese do not use as high of a quality of glass as David Christensen. Also, their caning process is nowhere near as sophisticated as David’s process. The edges of their glass beads are square while David's are slightly rounded. The slightly rounded edges protect the medium on which the beads are strung, and when using them on silk like I have done in this next design that was obviously very important. In this necklace I used beads from his “Harvest Collection” symbolic of the fall season.
Again, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any place for Chinese cane glass. It is a great alternative for a new or young beading artist, their beads are also nice if you want to create many inexpensive bracelets, and they’re wonderful if your customers are looking for a fashionable item at a low price. As for me I prefer to stick with David Christensen and the American made cane glass beads.
I think that I have rambled enough for now so I’ll see you again soon. I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it!
Ciao,
Mariealena
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Holiday Jewelry
If you are a busy person like me, you start your Christmas shopping early. (With a new baby coming, that has been absolutely necessary this year.) I have the most trouble deciding what to buy for the teenagers on my list.
With that in mind, I’ve been browsing my designs and found several beaded jewelry items that will appeal to the teens on your list. Beaded jewelry is especially “hot” this year.
Among my handmade beaded jewelry designs are several that are especially appropriate for the holiday season.
My Italian soul rejoices at the red, white and green colors of the Italian flag. But my Christmas cat’s-eye bracelet was actually designed with Christmas in mind.
I used Grade A cat’s-eye beads in green and white. I like to use cat’s eye in my beaded jewelry because of its luster and depth. Here I combined cat’s-eye beads with red Swarovski® crystals for sparkle and sterling silver for added richness.
Like all of my beaded jewelry, each of my bracelets is made to order, so you can specify the correct wrist size.
I designed these snowman earrings for the young and the young at heart. I used two Grade A Freshwater pearls for the snowman’s body and Jet Swarovski Crystals for the hat. I added just enough magic to make them dangle delightfully, but not enough to make them run away like Frosty!
As you may have guessed, I like to add a touch of whimsy to my beaded jewelry.
Remember that pearls need to be worn—it adds to their luster. Your teenager can wear these all through the winter season, and so can you.
These Swarovski Christmas tree earrings are also available with gold fill findings, and for a completely different look they will be available in white and gold crystal as well. Keep your eyes open for that new addition to Holiday jewelry in the next blog!
Also new this Holiday is this wonderful cat's eye Winter Wonderland bracelet made with Grade A cat's eye beads and decorated with sterling silver laser cut beads. For an added touch of winter, a sterling snowflake dangles near the clasp. Any sterling winter or Holiday charm can be substituted upon request.
Ankle bracelets are especially fashionable for teenagers this year. I’ve made several using the amazing millefiori or “thousand flower” beads made in Murano, Italy. As on many of my beaded jewelry pieces, I’ve added sterling silver to accent the millefiori beads.
Beaded jewelry is a marvelous choice when you want jewelry both mother and daughter can wear. For a special gift, consider my “Siam Slider” cuff bracelet. I used Swarovski® crystal “butterfly” sliders accented with red Swarovski® bicones and sterling silver. It’s strung on memory wire so it will never lose its shape. Don’t be surprised if your teenager slips it on to wear with jeans—I do the very same thing!
I hope you’ll spend some time browsing my beaded jewelry. I’ll be making more gift suggestions as the holiday season nears.
With that in mind, I’ve been browsing my designs and found several beaded jewelry items that will appeal to the teens on your list. Beaded jewelry is especially “hot” this year.
Among my handmade beaded jewelry designs are several that are especially appropriate for the holiday season.
My Italian soul rejoices at the red, white and green colors of the Italian flag. But my Christmas cat’s-eye bracelet was actually designed with Christmas in mind.
I used Grade A cat’s-eye beads in green and white. I like to use cat’s eye in my beaded jewelry because of its luster and depth. Here I combined cat’s-eye beads with red Swarovski® crystals for sparkle and sterling silver for added richness.
Like all of my beaded jewelry, each of my bracelets is made to order, so you can specify the correct wrist size.
I designed these snowman earrings for the young and the young at heart. I used two Grade A Freshwater pearls for the snowman’s body and Jet Swarovski Crystals for the hat. I added just enough magic to make them dangle delightfully, but not enough to make them run away like Frosty!
As you may have guessed, I like to add a touch of whimsy to my beaded jewelry.
Remember that pearls need to be worn—it adds to their luster. Your teenager can wear these all through the winter season, and so can you.
These Swarovski Christmas tree earrings are also available with gold fill findings, and for a completely different look they will be available in white and gold crystal as well. Keep your eyes open for that new addition to Holiday jewelry in the next blog!
Also new this Holiday is this wonderful cat's eye Winter Wonderland bracelet made with Grade A cat's eye beads and decorated with sterling silver laser cut beads. For an added touch of winter, a sterling snowflake dangles near the clasp. Any sterling winter or Holiday charm can be substituted upon request.
Ankle bracelets are especially fashionable for teenagers this year. I’ve made several using the amazing millefiori or “thousand flower” beads made in Murano, Italy. As on many of my beaded jewelry pieces, I’ve added sterling silver to accent the millefiori beads.
Beaded jewelry is a marvelous choice when you want jewelry both mother and daughter can wear. For a special gift, consider my “Siam Slider” cuff bracelet. I used Swarovski® crystal “butterfly” sliders accented with red Swarovski® bicones and sterling silver. It’s strung on memory wire so it will never lose its shape. Don’t be surprised if your teenager slips it on to wear with jeans—I do the very same thing!
I hope you’ll spend some time browsing my beaded jewelry. I’ll be making more gift suggestions as the holiday season nears.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Handmade Glass Beads
I love to work with handmade glass beads. The variety is amazing, and the colors are heavenly. And all made from sand and fire!
Glass beads can be made with very little resources. In Mauretania, the Kiffa people crush bottles and jars into a powder. They use their own saliva to bind the crushed glass into cone-shaped beads. They add designs by applying crushed colored glass to the cone with a needle. Then the beads are fired in small containers—often sardine cans.
Furnace glass beads, such as millefiore beads, use glass-working techniques first developed in Italy. Millefiore beads were popular in Roman days, two thousand years ago. Then as now, these handmade beads were formed from rods of colored glass, bundled to form the exquisite designs that give them their name, “thousand flowers.”
After the fall of Rome, Europe made little in the way of luxury products such as glass. When the Crusaders brought glassmaking techniques from the East, Venice became a glass-making center. The rulers, or Doges, kept glassmakers on the island of Murano and threatened them with harsh penalties if they revealed the secrets of their trade.
Artists who make lampwork glass beads first coat a metal rod with a substance called “bead release.” Then they melt a glass rod and spin the metal rod in the hot glass to form a bead. Once they have the base of the bead, they add colors in layers to complete their design.
My favorite maker of handmade lampwork beads is Lisa Atchison. I’ve included a picture of one of her beads with this blog. Nature inspires Lisa, and she often combines glass with electroplated natural objects, such as leaves, to make her beads. Here are two of the designs that I have created using her beads.
I’ve been stringing Lisa’s beads on Silk Ribbon from Jamn Glass. This is a type of ribbon made for jewelry makers to be hardwearing. I use leather cord, too. And, of course, some of her beads seem to cry out for copper, sterling silver or vermeil.
I love the organic feeling of Lisa’s beads. Her craftsmanship is extraordinary! My Italian soul resonates with the intricate patterns of millefiore beads. Handmade glass beads always seem to inspire me. Perhaps they carry with them the feelings of the artist who made them.
I know that something of myself is within every piece of jewelry I make. As Lisa says, a bead is not truly art until someone wears it.
Ciao,
Mariealena
Glass beads can be made with very little resources. In Mauretania, the Kiffa people crush bottles and jars into a powder. They use their own saliva to bind the crushed glass into cone-shaped beads. They add designs by applying crushed colored glass to the cone with a needle. Then the beads are fired in small containers—often sardine cans.
Furnace glass beads, such as millefiore beads, use glass-working techniques first developed in Italy. Millefiore beads were popular in Roman days, two thousand years ago. Then as now, these handmade beads were formed from rods of colored glass, bundled to form the exquisite designs that give them their name, “thousand flowers.”After the fall of Rome, Europe made little in the way of luxury products such as glass. When the Crusaders brought glassmaking techniques from the East, Venice became a glass-making center. The rulers, or Doges, kept glassmakers on the island of Murano and threatened them with harsh penalties if they revealed the secrets of their trade.
Artists who make lampwork glass beads first coat a metal rod with a substance called “bead release.” Then they melt a glass rod and spin the metal rod in the hot glass to form a bead. Once they have the base of the bead, they add colors in layers to complete their design.
My favorite maker of handmade lampwork beads is Lisa Atchison. I’ve included a picture of one of her beads with this blog. Nature inspires Lisa, and she often combines glass with electroplated natural objects, such as leaves, to make her beads. Here are two of the designs that I have created using her beads.
I’ve been stringing Lisa’s beads on Silk Ribbon from Jamn Glass. This is a type of ribbon made for jewelry makers to be hardwearing. I use leather cord, too. And, of course, some of her beads seem to cry out for copper, sterling silver or vermeil.
I love the organic feeling of Lisa’s beads. Her craftsmanship is extraordinary! My Italian soul resonates with the intricate patterns of millefiore beads. Handmade glass beads always seem to inspire me. Perhaps they carry with them the feelings of the artist who made them.
I know that something of myself is within every piece of jewelry I make. As Lisa says, a bead is not truly art until someone wears it.
Ciao,
Mariealena
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Beaded Jewelry Design
I am often asked how I get my inspiration. Beaded jewelry design is like any other art form--inspiration can come from almost anywhere.
One source of inspiration is the work of other designers, such as David Yurman. From his Bijoux collection, I like his use of asymmetry, in which the two sides of a necklace do not quite match. I also like the way he combines textured and smooth links in his chains. And I especially like the way he showcases special beads in his jewelry design.
My finished design is quite different from Yurman’s. But, you can see the combination of textured and smooth in the sterling and Hill Tribes silver, the asymmetry in the use of jade on one side of my central bead and pearl on the other, and the way I made the Grade A yellow/blue tiger-eye bead the focal point, setting it off with Swarovski® crystal rondelles.
My beaded jewelry design often is inspired by nature. For example, I’ve interpreted the color of the sea, the sky and the coral reefs around Caribbean islands in this ring. The turquoise ranges from blue in the nuggets to blue-green in the smooth beads.
The coral is actually from Swarovski® -- crystal coral-colored beads. I choose not to use real coral in my beaded jewelry design, because reefs are usually endangered habitats.
Another source of inspiration for beaded jewelry design comes from the beads themselves. When I look at a wonderful lampworked bead or a millefiori bead from Italy, I can draw inspiration from its colors and texture. I ask myself whether it calls for gold or silver findings and accents. What colors will bring out this or that color within the bead? Should I use a similar or a contrasting shade in my design?
Life itself inspires my beaded jewelry design, as in the Mommy bracelet I am designing to celebrate the coming birth of my second child. In fact, my jewelry design business began with my first child, Isabella Rose. She continues to be the wellspring of my creative spirit.
One of the things I love best about beaded jewelry design is using a variety of carefully chosen materials to create wearable art. If my designs never see the inside of a museum that’s OK, as long as my creations are eye catching and wearable!
If you have questions about beaded jewelry design, please ask. I’ll be happy to answer in this blog.
Ciao
Mariealena
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About Me
- www.isabellasbeads.com
- Started as a hobby, Isabella's Beads is owned and operated by me, Mariealena Calabrese. After realizing that beading was more of a passion rather than just a hobby, I wanted to share my creations with everyone. I recently gave birth to my first child, my daughter Isabella Rose. I started Isabella's Beads with the hope that when she grows older she will have a successful, reputable business for herself. One thing I pride myself on is the fact that I am committed to outstanding customer service. 100% satisfaction is guaranteed! I hope you enjoy your jewelry as much as I enjoy making it.